Water Conservation Solutions

Rainwater Harvesting / Water Conservation

Rainwater harvesting or water conservation has been the norm in many countries without an available piped in fresh water supply. Industrialized nations with large fresh water reserves (like the United States) have grown so accustomed to water coming out of a facet when the handle is turned, we forget what a precious, life-enhancing resource fresh water is. Rain, when it falls on our property can be stored for re-use fairly easily, and when used for allowable purposes, greatly reduces the consumption of fresh, potable water.

Gray Water Recycling / Water Conservation

The vast majority of water that flows through a building is only partially used. Partially used water can be re-used if handled in a health conscious way. The most beneficial use of this “gray” water is for flushing toilets. Existing buildings are challenging to modify for gray water capture and re-use, but it can be done. New construction can easily be adapted for gray water capture and re-use by separating sink, shower and washing machine drain lines from the normal sewage line and diverting them to a system for re-use of the water. Gray water can also be used for irrigation purposes if applied properly.

Is a Water Conservation Right For Me?

Rainwater is a natural resource that falls on an individuals property. Capturing this resource and reusing it for an individuals needs reduces the public supply of water necessary to maintain your lifestyle. Rainwater Harvesting or Water Conservation is for that environmentally conscious gardener wanting to improve our environment by growing plants in a responsible way, a way to reduce runoff to sensitive watersheds from your property, and is for that individual wanting the independence of a stored water source when power fails and the municipal water supply is disrupted.

Solutions and ProductsThe size of a rainwater storage vessel is infinitely variable and would be determined by the length of time between significant rainfalls and the amount of water needed to supply an individuals needs. Five gallon buckets under a “V” in your roof to large underground, modular systems storing large quantities of water, are examples of storage systems from simple to complex. We can size and install a storage system suited to your needs. Space and imagination are our only limitations for a water conservation system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I consider a water conservation system?Access to clean water is one of the most critical issues facing our planet. It is estimated that up 50% of the water used in the United States is for irrigation purposes. Most people are unaware of the amount of water they waste everyday. Collecting rain water from the roof structure of a building and reusing it for your landscaping needs, greatly increases the awareness of irrigation cycles and landscaping consumption. Learning to live with the natural resources ( water, sun and wind) available on your property increases your sustainable and puts you more in tune with your environment. A water re-use system(gray water system ) can greatly decrease the consumption of clean drinking water at your location. It can be diverted for irrigation purposes and can be used to flush toilets.

How hard is it to install a rain catchment system?That depends. A building needs to have a collection system (gutters) that divert rain water to a storage system (tank). The storage system needs to go to a distribution system. If no water conservation systems are currently in place they all need to be designed and added.

If there is not a lot of room in my yard , but I would like to use all the rain water available, what could we use?You have quite a few options. You can use above ground storage or below ground storage. Systems can be as simple as a plastic bucket under a drip point from your roof, to a large, structurally engineered underground system. Collected water should be cleaned (filtered) before storage.

How would I install a gray water system?That depends. Existing structures have the potentially used drains already piped to the sewage discharge line. This will require some changes. Outside showers are the most easily captured and can be used to begin a water conservation system.

Geothermal Air Conditioning

Using the nearly constant temperature of the Earth to absorb heat from and provide heat for buildings is the basis for the most efficient air conditioning systems available today. The temperature of the earth is not dependant on the season, as is the temperature of the air, so using water circulated through the earth as a heat exchange medium gives consistent, efficient results. Water-source or earth-coupled machines can be (and mostly are) installed inside the building, greatly reducing the effects of equipment deterioration due to atmospheric conditions. Earth-coupled machines are used to heat and cool buildings, domestic water systems and pools.
Call us and let us show you how it can be accomplished for your project!